Heather Clarke - Independent Celebrant

Meet this fabulous pair - Natalie and Sophia, who are getting married at Hooton Lodge Farm next month.

I’ve just finished writing the first draft of their ceremony and oh my word… what an emotional rollercoaster! One minute I’m in tears, the next I’m laughing out loud - all within the same 10 minutes!

Their love story is something really special, and this wedding is going to be completely them - unique, fun, and full of love 🌈

I honestly can’t wait!

What a lovely way to spend a Friday morning! 😍 I'm always slightly nervous the first time I share a ceremony. What if they hate it? (Answer - we change it!) What if I spill my coffee all down me? (unusually for me, I didn't today! )

Fortunately, I work with the BEST people. Sam and Mackenzie loved the ceremony wording for their upcoming wedding at Spicer Manor in October. 😊

At one point during the two hours that we were happily sitting chatting away, fuelled by the best coffee in Pen*stone, at All is Good, Mackenzie looked around and said 'This must be the best part of your job?'

I paused, reflected, and told her that yes, it is, but that in all honesty, to me, almost every aspect of my job is 'the best', even the difficult ones. Apart from the admin ... it's no secret that I hate admin! 🙈

Forever thankful that celebrant life chose me (and for my admin angel!) 💚

https://www.instagram.com/p/DOycqW_iuCA/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=MWRpYXp3ZjRtMzNoZw==

Today was a fabulous Friday, because I met with this lovely pair, Sam and Mackenzie, for a first read through of their wedding ceremony. 💚 We spent two hours laughing away in the corner, getting even more excited for their big day at the amazing @spicermanor next month. Having arranged to meet at one of my favourite local cafes, @all_is_good_yorkshire I was nervous, because I’d been bigging up their coffee, before I knew that Sam was a complete coffee addict! 🙈 Luckily, their barista is a pro 👌. Sam was impressed! 💯 Sam and Mackenzie’s ceremony is completely them; refreshingly honest, funny, full of love (done their way) and with a few secret surprises, that they won’t hear until their big day. 🤫 I can’t wait to see it all come to life! 😊 (Yes - I am that short, yes Sam is that tall and yes, they really are that gorgeous!😍) #WeddingCelebrant #CeremonyGoals #LoveAndLaughter #YorkshireWeddings #SpicerManor #AllIsGoodCoffee #WeddingVibes #RealLoveStories #WeddingDayFeels #CouplesThatLaughTogether #WeddingInspo #SayIDoWithAView #LoveStoryToldRight #CoffeeAndLove

Norma. What a lady!

Like so many others, my son and I fell in love with my fellow northern lasses, Norma, and her granddaughter, Jess by watching their reels together on Facebook. Their humour, love, and genuine care for each other was a real tonic.

As a celebrant, I deal with death every day. You learn to hold space for other people’s grief, to guide with care and compassion. You never stop feeling it, but you do learn how to carry it professionally.

But this feels personal. It is MY grief, albeit shared with thousands and thousands of others across the internet (and yet still nothing compared to the grief her family will be feeling).

I cried when I found out Norma had died, and I cried again when I had to tell my son. He took the news far better than I did though ... 91 is very, very old to a 11 year old, even for someone as lively as Norma!

It can feel strange to mourn someone we’ve never met, but grief doesn’t need or ask for permission. Norma connected with so many of us, simply by being herself. She reminded us of our own grandmothers and mothers, our own families, our own memories. She brought comfort, laughter, and warmth in a way that made her feel like one of our own.

That’s the power of genuine presence - even through a screen. Norma invited us into her world, and in doing so, became a part of ours.

Rest in peace, Norma. Thank you for the reminder of just how much joy can be found in the everyday.

05/06/2025 the day our family lost our rock, our everything, our beautiful, precious, perfect lady. We are all truly devastated and our lives will never be the same. We want you all to know that Nan fell to sleep peacefully, surrounded by all her family, she was full of love and had the most beautiful care. If anyone deserves a place in heaven, it’s you Nanny Norma. Social media and our community online made Nan’s last years so incredibly special, her cup was full and in her own words she “lived such a wonderful life”. 91 years was never going to be enough and she has left the biggest hole in all of our hearts. Reunited with her husband and family, until we meet again, our queen 💔

💚 I am very excited to be exhibiting at The Magna Wedding Fair, in Rotherham, this Sunday, the 6th of October. 💚

Whether you are newly engaged, or your wedding day is just around the corner, you’ll find lots of exciting inspiration here, from some amazing wedding suppliers.

Of course, if you’re looking for a celebrant who will create a heartfelt, personalised wedding ceremony that you and your guests will remember forever, come and chat with me!

See you there! 👋

A great big squishie THANK YOU to everyone who left an enquiry with me at the on Sunday. 

It was fantastic to chat to you about your vision for your wedding ceremonies - every single one so unique and personal. 💖

I have now emailed everyone, so look out for that landing in your inbox (or maybe your junk/spam - how rude! 🙄) If you haven’t had anything, give me a poke and we’ll figure it out.

If YOU would like to arrange a no obligation chat to explore how, together, we can make your ceremony one to remember, get in touch, I’d love to hear from you.

📸 .uk

Just a reminder that next Sunday, the 8th of September, I’m doing my first ever wedding fair, The Indie Wedding Fair, at The Steamworks, in Sheffield.

I think I’m now a little less terrified, and a lot more excited. Luckily for me everyone else seems to know exactly what they are doing, and they have my back! 🩷

If you or anyone you know is planning a wedding, or you just love weddings, why not bag yourself a ticket and come down for a chat? The Steamworks is dog friendly 🐶 and has some great food options.

Go on, you know you want to …

https://www.tickettailor.com/events/theindieweddingfair/1307497

I am RIDICULOUSLY excited to be joining the lineup at the The Indie Wedding Fair in Sheffield this September! 🙌😊

Looking forward to a day of chatting with folk about the HUGE difference that a celebrant led wedding ceremony, can make, and connecting with lots of other talented independent creatives.

Can you tell I’m giddy? 🤩

It is all happening at The Steamworks, a brilliant city centre events space and venue, on Sunday, the 8th of September 2024.

Copy and paste this link, to grab your tickets.

https://www.tickettailor.com/events/theindieweddingfair/1307497

Psst - the Treat yo’self tickets are guaranteed to be immense!

📣 Service announcement 📣

In February of this year I fell, whilst skiing, causing a complex break to my right (and dominant🙈) shoulder.

On Thursday of last week (11th July), I had surgery which will hopefully fix things and get me back on the right track 💪

For the next four weeks, my arm will be completely immobilised, to allow it to heal.

Assistive technology, especially speech to text software is proving very useful. However, I know from experience, that it takes me longer to write a ceremony this way, than it does when I have the use of both hands to type.

Whilst I am unable to drive I will be relying on public transport/lifts for both family visits and the funeral ceremonies themselves, which also takes extra time.

All of this means that I am accepting a reduced number of funeral ceremonies at the moment. These will be ones for families I have led ceremonies for before, or where I have been personally recommended. If this is the case, please do get in touch.

For any other funeral ceremonies, I'm happy to recommend or introduce you one of my amazing celebrant colleagues in the area. Just ask.

Weddings, vow renewal and naming/renaming ceremonies are unaffected.

Thank you for your understanding.

* Photos show a smiling woman (me!) with tied back dark/grey hair and gold hoop earrings, wearing a black dress and large black arm brace/sling. Taken outside Holmfirth Vineyard, a beautiful restaurant/ wedding venue, surrounded by the dramatic scenery of the West Yorkshire hills and moorland and the vineyard itself, on a misty day *

When I saw that Natural Endings were hosting a talk about DIY and Community led funerals, with , I knew that I had to be there.

My Dad died in 2021, and Rosie, and my other amazing fellow members of the Good Funeral Guild, guided me to make Dad’s funeral perfect for him, and us, in his community.

I knew that Anna Bushell - Celebrant would love the talk too, so invited her to come along with me for the ride. We chatted none stop for the hour journey there, and all the way back again 😃

Hearing all about John Mounsey’s community funeral was inspiring - moving, though provoking, and yes, funny too. I’ve shared Natural Endings post to my stories, where you can see more details.

It was great to finally get the chance to see their beautiful funeral home and ceremony space too. Just gorgeous! 😍💚

Thank you to everyone involved for holding such a wonderful event.

How gorgeous is this? 😍 I’m heartened to see how more and more people are looking towards sustainable solutions for floral arrangements, from locally grown flowers and entirely biodegradable materials, to living displays that can be planted out afterwards. So many fabulous ideas!

Locally, I highly recommend the very talented and fabulous human who is Hollie, at Alchemilla Floral Her arrangements are divine, sustainable and made with love.